Pennsylvania Lottery sets record

Tuesday, July 24, 2007 posted 02:30 AM EDT

Pennsylvania Lottery sales for fiscal year 2006-07 set a new, all-time sales record, Secretary of Revenue Thomas W. Wolf announced today.

"The Lottery just completed another strong sales year, setting a new all- time record," said Wolf. "Lottery sales continue to grow and provide funding for programs and services vital to the health and well-being of older Pennsylvanians."

Fiscal year 2006-07 Lottery sales totaled $3.076 billion, which was $6 million, or 0.2 percent, more than last year. Lottery sales have grown by more than $1.1 billion, or 58 percent, since fiscal year 2001-02, when Lottery sales were $1.95 billion.

Instant games sales for fiscal year 2006-07 totaled more than $1.7 billion, which exceeded last year's instant games sales record by $115.7 million, or 7.3 percent. Of the top 30 all-time best instant games sales weeks in Lottery's history, 20 were in fiscal year 2006-07.

Sales for terminal-based games, including The Daily Number, BIG 4, Treasure Hunt, CASH 5, Match 6 Lotto, Mix & Match and Powerball, totaled nearly $1.4 billion for the fiscal year, which was $109.7 million, or 7.4 percent, less than last year.

This fiscal year was the second-highest annual sales total for terminal- based games in the Lottery's history, despite a $121.1 million decrease in Powerball sales compared to last year because of fewer large jackpots. Nationally, Powerball sales were 11 percent lower compared to last year.

Net revenues to the Lottery Fund for fiscal year 2006-07 totaled $949.1 million, which was $18.8 million, or 1.9 percent, less than last year. This fiscal year was the second-highest year for the amount of money returned to the Lottery Fund for senior benefit programs, next to last year's record. The Lottery has generated $4.4 billion for the Lottery Fund since fiscal year 2001-02.

"The slight reduction in net revenues this year is attributable to the decline in Powerball sales and the increase in instant ticket sales in which profit margins are lower," said Wolf. "Senior benefit programs paid from Lottery proceeds will not be adversely affected as the Lottery Fund is flush."

Lottery retailers, many of them family-owned small businesses, earned $166.3 million in commissions in fiscal year 2006-07. Today, the Pennsylvania Lottery has about 8,500 retailers, a milestone that was last reached in 1992.

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